Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, is one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes for 2010. Burton’s life speaks volumes to both the tragedy of punitive approaches to drug addition and to the ability of the human spirit to transcend lifes’ circumstances to become a beacon of hope for others.

Although voting for CNN Hero of the Year Award for 2010 is over, Susan’s story still serves as inspiration for making change to prison policy, as a compelling example of the specific challenges that women of color face during reentry and as a narrative for understanding criminal justice through an intersectional lens.

Check out more interviews, videos and information about Susan, A New Way of Life and challenges for women of color here.